posted
I use a Birdog for aligning my TV and Direcway dishes. No problems with TV. But I have never received a "FOUND" indication (Q bar graph of the Birdog) when attempting to lock onto my assigned Direcway satellite (AMC3). Despite this, I have repeatedly been able to get online successfully in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina...to accomplish this I will typically adjust the Direcway dish until I get a peak of around 72 to 76 on the S bar of the Birdog (but never a "FOUND"), then run my cables to the DW6000, boot it up and reinstall. But on my most recent trips to different parts of North Carolina and Tenneessee this has not worked. I am still able to get about a 74 according to the Birdog, but when I get to the signal strength check of the DW6000 install, it only shows about a 10 to 12 signal strength level. So I've been dead in the water. Fortunately, I'm currently at an RV park near Knoxville that has a WI-FI hotspot. So I've been able to downloaded the latest updates for my Birdog for the AMC3 satellite, but I have just been unable to get a lock on AMC3 recently.
The questions: 1) How would I know if my Direcway receiver has been damaged? I have not ruled this out, although I do not believe this is my problem since I'm still getting approx. the same signal strength I always have - according to the Birdog. 2) A really stupid one, but Oh Well - I don't know the answer for certain. Is AMC3 a C-Band or KU-Band bird? Birdog has different download files for both. 3) Has anyone else with a Birdog had problems locking on to AMC3? 4) What am I doing wrong? (implied frustration)
Thank you in advance.
Posts: 8 | From: Full-Time RVer | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I can only add that on 1) I concur that if Birdog is still seeing the same signal strength, it is doubtful that the receiver is damaged and on 2) your AMC3 signal is KU band.
-------------------- Michael Day F1|D3|7000 5.8.0.72|Currently no Hughes|1 Laptop: XP Home|1 Desktop:Vista, 1 Win7|Cradlepoint 1400|Verizon MiFi 4GLTE| Newell Coach, PT Cruiser Turbo Find Me Here (Map) Donations Help Support This Site Posts: 2815 | From: Everywhere (home is Austin, TX) | Registered: May 2003
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I also use a Birdog for aligning my Direcway dish for both TV and internet. Even though I am assigned to the KH orientation on AMC3, I have never been able to get a "Found" signal using it. I set my Birdog meter to the KV option for AMC3 on my meter, and then I CAN get a "Found" signal, and have always been able to establish my internet link. I think that both choices for AMC3 on Birdog point to the same satellite, so I am assuming that there is something slightly amiss in my Birdog software for the KH orientation.
posted
I use the SatLook Mark-III spectrum analyzer. I paid way to much for it, because someone is now selling about 50 of them on E-Bay. It does not tell you which sat you are looking at, but with practice you can identify the pattern of your satellite. It is very sensitive. Part of the reason I have it is so that I can identify if the head end transmitter is down (rare), or if it is an LNB or cabling issue on my end. Besides my F1, I also point the Red Cross 1.2m tripods when we go on disasters. My situation is not normal, so I am not the best guide, but if you can get a Mark-III for cheap, like a lot less than $400, it is a great tool to have.
I've been in two different locations since my original post, one of which I had been to previously with a successful link to AMC3. This location (the one I had previously been to) was in Athens, TN, about an hour's drive from Heiskell, TN where I was having so much trouble at the time I started this thread. I was again able to establish a good solid connection here. But there was one major difference this time - the first time I did not get a "FOUND" indicator on my Birdog; on my most recent visit I did. I also got a "FOUND" indicator when setting up the dish at my current location, which is in Park City, KY. I attribute this recent change of events - for the better, I might add - to 2 things:
1) I downloaded a fresh set of configuration files to my Birdog specific to my bird (AMC3, K H) 2) Based on feedback from this message board, I learned the importance of starting off with a LEVEL tripod mount...I didn't work so hard at that before.
The bottom line, I can attest that the more time and attention I devote to preping the mount the less time I waste on fruitless and frustrating efforts.
Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions!
I'm a new user of the Birdog and haven't been able to get 'FOUND' and either 117W, 91W or 127W. I downloaded the files a couple of weeks ago. Did you download more recently?
thanks
-------------------- Don Marr WWW.OREGONRV.NET 541-683-5361 See where I am Country Coach Concept 40' F1 - D3|7000s|99W|LinkSys wireless with 1000mw WiFi amp & Ext. antenna Posts: 3411 | From: Eugene, OR | Registered: Jun 2004
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I had a problem today setting up. My BirDog would 'find' but never got any numbers. BUT--I am doing this post online with DW now. Good idea about downloading BD info before heading out to next stop. Thanks DICK
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